PHL needs 'Science-based' water sector management, says senator

Reforms in the Philippine water sector must be based on scientific data and monitoring, if authorities are to ensure the sustainable management of the country’s water resources, while contributing toward disaster risk reduction. 

 

Sen. Edgardo Angara stressed this at a public hearing of the Senate subcommittee on water, while discussing the Water Sector Reform Act (Senate Bill 2977).

 

“There is a need for quick action on this matter. I submit that unless we do it before the end of this legislative session, we will lose another valuable year. If we keep 'business as usual' as far as water is concerned, it means maintaining a fragmented setup, where it seems like no one is really in charge,” said Angara, who chairs the subcommittee.

 

The WSRA aims to put a framework for efficiently managing the country’s water resources by adopting an Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach.

 

Angara noted there 16 major agencies concerned with the water sector, but only five have a hand in policy planning, data monitoring, infrastructure and program development, regulatory function and public relations.

 

But out of these five, only one or two agencies that have anything to do with science, or science-based management of water resources, he said.

 

Angara, who is also Chairman of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology, stressed they "must act swiftly to change this setup.”

 

“Unless we apply scientific principles, and scientific data gathering, I don’t think we’ll be able to manage our mostly scarce water resources as effectively as need be,” he said.

 

The bill also provides for the establishment of River Basin Clusters (RBCs), to manage upstream and downstream water resources that cut across regional boundaries.

 

These are consistent with the presentation made by Public Works secretary Rogelio Singson of the draft Philippine Water Resources Master Plan to be submitted to President Benigno Aquino III.

 

During the presentation, Singson emphasized the need to create mechanisms for reliable scientific data collection, which could help in a flood modelling, forecasting and warning system.

 

“The need for such a system is clear. If another Ondoy happens, then the communities in Cainta, Marikina and maybe even Pasig City will be forewarned,” said Angara. — TJD, GMA News